sarah Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 I have read in the past about Amano shrimp climbing out of their tanks, but I really didn't think it would happen to me. Just found a dried up shrimp 20 feet away from my tank I have a glass cover on the tank, but there is a small (~1"x10") open strip at the back for the HOB filter outflow, heater, and an automatic fish feeder. Any ideas how I can cover that strip but still allow water and small food bits to fall through??? Edwardnah and Johnnydok 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Sounds like their stressed. Fish in the tank? Water params? sarah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted June 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Yep - definitely a few possible causes: My cory catfish pair have been laying eggs every other day, swimming around like maniacs with the male chasing the female, disrupting everything in their way. Added 4 small black neons on Sunday (to my existing group of 3). Nitrates went up over 40 yesterday (!), so I did a 30% water change last night. Was planning to do another today. (There may actually be 2 Amanos missing - started with 4 in the tank, could only count 3 for the past week or so, and now since I found the dead one I can only find 2 in the tank. It is a heavily planted tank, though, so we may still have 3 in there. My guess is one died/disappeared about a week ago, and this new escapee is from last night after the water change.) Soothing Shrimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiumanfu Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Nitrates will definitely cause amanos to attempt a jail break. You can lower the water level or maybe use SS mesh to cover the holes. Depending on your food size, you can use the same stuff that moss usually comes on. sarah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted June 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 The food is the New Life Spectrum Thera A small fish formula. Supposedly 0.5mm pellets, but they seem larger to me. I could go to home depot/Lowes today - what should I look for exactly? And would you just tape it to the tank and lid, letting the water flow right through and make a minimal cutout for the heater? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted June 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 I did find a molt late last night, so it's possible #3 is hiding out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyfishlady Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 I used the plastic crafting mesh when I had HOBs I used silicon to stick it to the tank cover but NOT to the tank itself sarah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted June 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 I used the plastic crafting mesh when I had HOBs mesh cover2.jpg mesh cover.jpg I used silicon to stick it to the tank cover but NOT to the tank itself This is great! Thanks so much for the pictures too. What is the mesh called exactly? And did you use any specific brand of silicone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiumanfu Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 You can get the plastic stuff at a craft store. It is usually called plastic canvas. http://www.michaels.com/darice-plastic-canvas-clear/10812479.html#start=1 sarah and Crazyfishlady 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted June 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 You can get the plastic stuff at a craft store. It is usually called plastic canvas. http://www.michaels.com/darice-plastic-canvas-clear/10812479.html#start=1 Any idea how small I need the holes to be to keep the shrimp from squeezing through? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazyfishlady Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Those holes are pretty tiny, babies could get through but not bigger shrimp, I don't think. I just used the silicone I got at the fish store sarah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiumanfu Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 The stuff I have is 2mm. They probably make different sizes though. Crazyfishlady, sarah and Soothing Shrimp 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah Posted June 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 OK, mesh is in place! I think I amused the craft store ladies when they asked what I needed it for. Nitrates are down to 10 after two 25% water changes and a new bag of purigen in the filter. Hopefully no more escapees Thanks everyone! Crazyfishlady 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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